royong
18-05-2006, 09:51
My, this is a topic that is close to my heart. As one of the pioneering members of Singapore Web Hosting Talk (SGWHT) http://www.sgwebhostingtalk.com I have seen my fair share of newbies asking to understand this. Perhaps the time is right for me to write something about this? I'm not sure but I'll give it a try and provide my honest opinion.
Well, first up, I'm not going to writing about how to choose a web host, you will probably get more than your fair share with Google. Here's a quick link : http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+choose+a+web+host
Anyway, the main idea here is to provide the readers with the intricate details about what to look for when considering a web host - particularly one that provides SHARED WEB/EMAIL hosting.
1. Unlimited Blar Blar Blar
==================================================
Yup, truth behold. There are NO such things like unlimited bandwidth. Its simply too good to be true. Nowadays, you will still find web hosts that promise you "unlimited bandwidth" but the reality of it is simple. Once you hit the unspoken limit, you will be asked to leave or worst off, be slapped with an exorbitant amount for the excessive use of bandwidth. Don't be taken in by web host providers who claim that they have their own data centers -- many don't! Data centers are expensive and require a large amount of capital outlay. Not every web host can afford to do this.
Each web host provider will be charged a fee by the Internet Service Provider or Data Center provider, for the amount of bandwidth that is given to the server. Let's simplify the matter a little. Let's presume that your intended web host only has 1 server. Now, just what does the web host provider need to get this server working? Well, for one, he needs to get a place to put this server - this is likely to be in one of the colocation data centers where the web host is charged based on 2 main criteria, space taken and amount of bandwidth subscribed.
Amount of bandwidth ... ah, that's a key word for us. BANDWIDTH. So if they are limited by bandwidth, then how in the world can they provide the customers with unlimited bandwidth? They cannot. For each server that a web host places in a data center, this server is limited by the amount of bandwidth it has access to. It maybe measured differently but its definitely there. It could be measured in either of the following:
(a) total amount of data transfer per month
(b) amount of bandwidth available, in Mbps or Kbps
Either way, there is a limit to what your web host provider subscribes to ... and so, he cannot promise any of his customers UNLIMITED bandwidth or data transfer. It just doesn't exist.
As another precautionary note, some web host providers tweak this a little and yet again try to cloud the issue by promising UNMETERED data transfer. Now, that's an improvement from the UNLIMITED stand but one will still need to be careful about this. Imagine a server with a subscribed 1Mbps bandwidth from the colocation data center. Then the total number of customers in the server will be sharing this 1Mbps. You will be extremely lucky if the server is lightly loaded with a minimum number of users, but what happens when the server is heavily populated with a lot of users i.e 700 users? Then all users are actually sharing this 1Mbps connection - which in certain cases might result in extremely slow connections, upload and download speeds.
2. Pay Peanuts and Don't Expect !@#!~
==================================================
If you are expecting to pay for the cheapest web/email hosting then be warned ... don't expect too much out of it. Every single business needs to survive, even those that provide you with the cheapest plans. Basically, in order to survive, a web host provider will need to keep a check on his bottom line. A balance between his operational cost and the monthly costs that he charges you, the end-user. So, if he charges a lower price, then means that he will need to "stuff" the server with a few more customers in order to break-even or make a profit. More customers in the same server means ... less resources for everyone. Its a trade-off. With lower prices, you will be expecting that the web host will be required to support more customers and may not be able to handle your request on time or perhaps when you overuse resources and bandwidth, more than the average user, you might be suspended or removed offline. Either way, price shouldn't be a major motivator ... but in reality, somehow cheap always attracts <sigh>
3. Domain Name Ownership - You Own it Right???
==================================================
One of the nastiest trick that a web host provider can do is to deny you the rightful ownership of the domain name that you registered with him. This is especially prominent in offers that provide with a free domain name when you sign up with them. Well, as usual, nothing is for free - so when the web host provider offers you a free domain, he has to pay for it. Therefore its another cost for him.
What can happen if the domain is not registered in your name? Well, easy then, imagine using the web address http://www.xxxyyy.com and the email address of you@xxxyyy.com for a full year. When the web hosting plan is up for renewal, your web host comes up to you with a hefty increase in your subscription plan ... you are not agreeable to the price given and decide to move on to another web host. Then you find out the problem. The domain name XXXYYY.COM isn't registered in your name. Its in the web host provider's name. So technically, the web host provider is the rightful owner! What can you do now? Either agree to the hefty increase in price, falling into the trap of the web host provider or leave and lose all the contacts that you have built up on XXXYYY.COM ... Its a mean trick and its certainly unethical, but that doesn't stop web hosts from practicing these.
To ensure that you rightfully own the domain, use a WHOIS tool on your domain name and make sure that the Administrative Contact is on your name with your contact details. That's the only legitimate way of determining domain ownership. Here's a link to a WHOIS tool http://www.whois.sc
4. Feeling Stuffed?
==================================================
This usually isn't a question that is posed to a web host provider by a potential customer but I think its logical that the potential customer be told honestly just how SHARED the server that he is going to be on really is.
Potential customers sometimes ask a web host provider what kind of hardware he uses - some web host keep prices low by using cheap server hardware or worse still, some even use Desktop grade hardware that are not suited for 24x7 operations. A server is a server - so don't let the web host provider tell you otherwise. In 24x7 operations, we want our web/email hosting facilities to be available to us when we need it and using Desktop hardware just will not cut it.
But another area that a potential customer fail to ask the web host provider is, how stuffed is the server going to be? Imagine a situation where the web host provider tells you that he is using XXX brand of server hardware with lots of Ram and Hard Disk space. Reassuring hugh? Think again. True, he is using good hardware but the question remains ... just how many accounts is he going to place into this server? Will this server perform similarly if the server has only got 250 accounts versus the same server stuffed with 500 accounts? So the other fundamental question that needs to be asked ... Just how STUFFED are the servers?
5. Is There Such a Thing Called CHEAP Support?
==================================================
LOL, I'm coming back again to the age old question. You pay peanuts, expect ... You finish the sentence. In any case, I'm not saying that web host providers whom are competitively priced do not support their customers. What I'm trying to point out is the fact that good technical support staff are not easy to find and they are not cheap. Try getting support from your current web host provider with a problem that you may have. Are they able to provide you with a concrete workable answer to your question? Do they response in a timely fashion?
Technical Support does cost money. Don't forget that. For a web host provider to be successful, not only does he need to be able to compete on new sign-ups, he will also need to maintain a good workable technical support force to cope with the incoming technical requests. I provide a real example :: A web host plan (100MB) that costs S$5 a month, citing 24/7 technical support -> Wouldn't you think twice about signing up? That's S$60 year and the provider is willing to provide the customer with 24/7 technical support? You do the maths. The business needs to survive on long term profitability. Can the provider earn a profit from this?
6. Reputation / Brand Name
==================================================
Take some effort to learn about the web host provider. What's the reaction from existing customers? What's the inside story like? Visit sites and communities to find out more about the web host. Learn more about the web host provider. A nice looking web site with fancy graphics and fancy write-ups don't make the cut. Don't let these fool you. Many of these can be purchased online. Ghost writers are always ready to be paid to write fantastic sales pitches and introductory pieces. Talk to the potential web host provide, email them with your inquiries. Get a feel of what they are like. Do they portrait themselves professionally? Is there some customer reference that you see? Are there reviews about their services?
Shameless plug :: Checkout SGWHT http://www.sgwebhostingtalk.com and search for the potential web host provider and see if anything has been said about them. Or post in SGWHT for reviews, opinion and comments.
7. Summary
==================================================
Some people just like the idea of going for a cheap deal. Well, we can't help it. We all want a GOOD deal right? Sadly, in web hosting, getting a good deal isn't that easy. Lots of people get burned this way. My advice to people is simple. If its too cheap, be wary. Businesses need to survive, they cannot be losing money all the time - a cheap deal must have a catch somewhere, maybe you just have not found it!
Well, first up, I'm not going to writing about how to choose a web host, you will probably get more than your fair share with Google. Here's a quick link : http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+choose+a+web+host
Anyway, the main idea here is to provide the readers with the intricate details about what to look for when considering a web host - particularly one that provides SHARED WEB/EMAIL hosting.
1. Unlimited Blar Blar Blar
==================================================
Yup, truth behold. There are NO such things like unlimited bandwidth. Its simply too good to be true. Nowadays, you will still find web hosts that promise you "unlimited bandwidth" but the reality of it is simple. Once you hit the unspoken limit, you will be asked to leave or worst off, be slapped with an exorbitant amount for the excessive use of bandwidth. Don't be taken in by web host providers who claim that they have their own data centers -- many don't! Data centers are expensive and require a large amount of capital outlay. Not every web host can afford to do this.
Each web host provider will be charged a fee by the Internet Service Provider or Data Center provider, for the amount of bandwidth that is given to the server. Let's simplify the matter a little. Let's presume that your intended web host only has 1 server. Now, just what does the web host provider need to get this server working? Well, for one, he needs to get a place to put this server - this is likely to be in one of the colocation data centers where the web host is charged based on 2 main criteria, space taken and amount of bandwidth subscribed.
Amount of bandwidth ... ah, that's a key word for us. BANDWIDTH. So if they are limited by bandwidth, then how in the world can they provide the customers with unlimited bandwidth? They cannot. For each server that a web host places in a data center, this server is limited by the amount of bandwidth it has access to. It maybe measured differently but its definitely there. It could be measured in either of the following:
(a) total amount of data transfer per month
(b) amount of bandwidth available, in Mbps or Kbps
Either way, there is a limit to what your web host provider subscribes to ... and so, he cannot promise any of his customers UNLIMITED bandwidth or data transfer. It just doesn't exist.
As another precautionary note, some web host providers tweak this a little and yet again try to cloud the issue by promising UNMETERED data transfer. Now, that's an improvement from the UNLIMITED stand but one will still need to be careful about this. Imagine a server with a subscribed 1Mbps bandwidth from the colocation data center. Then the total number of customers in the server will be sharing this 1Mbps. You will be extremely lucky if the server is lightly loaded with a minimum number of users, but what happens when the server is heavily populated with a lot of users i.e 700 users? Then all users are actually sharing this 1Mbps connection - which in certain cases might result in extremely slow connections, upload and download speeds.
2. Pay Peanuts and Don't Expect !@#!~
==================================================
If you are expecting to pay for the cheapest web/email hosting then be warned ... don't expect too much out of it. Every single business needs to survive, even those that provide you with the cheapest plans. Basically, in order to survive, a web host provider will need to keep a check on his bottom line. A balance between his operational cost and the monthly costs that he charges you, the end-user. So, if he charges a lower price, then means that he will need to "stuff" the server with a few more customers in order to break-even or make a profit. More customers in the same server means ... less resources for everyone. Its a trade-off. With lower prices, you will be expecting that the web host will be required to support more customers and may not be able to handle your request on time or perhaps when you overuse resources and bandwidth, more than the average user, you might be suspended or removed offline. Either way, price shouldn't be a major motivator ... but in reality, somehow cheap always attracts <sigh>
3. Domain Name Ownership - You Own it Right???
==================================================
One of the nastiest trick that a web host provider can do is to deny you the rightful ownership of the domain name that you registered with him. This is especially prominent in offers that provide with a free domain name when you sign up with them. Well, as usual, nothing is for free - so when the web host provider offers you a free domain, he has to pay for it. Therefore its another cost for him.
What can happen if the domain is not registered in your name? Well, easy then, imagine using the web address http://www.xxxyyy.com and the email address of you@xxxyyy.com for a full year. When the web hosting plan is up for renewal, your web host comes up to you with a hefty increase in your subscription plan ... you are not agreeable to the price given and decide to move on to another web host. Then you find out the problem. The domain name XXXYYY.COM isn't registered in your name. Its in the web host provider's name. So technically, the web host provider is the rightful owner! What can you do now? Either agree to the hefty increase in price, falling into the trap of the web host provider or leave and lose all the contacts that you have built up on XXXYYY.COM ... Its a mean trick and its certainly unethical, but that doesn't stop web hosts from practicing these.
To ensure that you rightfully own the domain, use a WHOIS tool on your domain name and make sure that the Administrative Contact is on your name with your contact details. That's the only legitimate way of determining domain ownership. Here's a link to a WHOIS tool http://www.whois.sc
4. Feeling Stuffed?
==================================================
This usually isn't a question that is posed to a web host provider by a potential customer but I think its logical that the potential customer be told honestly just how SHARED the server that he is going to be on really is.
Potential customers sometimes ask a web host provider what kind of hardware he uses - some web host keep prices low by using cheap server hardware or worse still, some even use Desktop grade hardware that are not suited for 24x7 operations. A server is a server - so don't let the web host provider tell you otherwise. In 24x7 operations, we want our web/email hosting facilities to be available to us when we need it and using Desktop hardware just will not cut it.
But another area that a potential customer fail to ask the web host provider is, how stuffed is the server going to be? Imagine a situation where the web host provider tells you that he is using XXX brand of server hardware with lots of Ram and Hard Disk space. Reassuring hugh? Think again. True, he is using good hardware but the question remains ... just how many accounts is he going to place into this server? Will this server perform similarly if the server has only got 250 accounts versus the same server stuffed with 500 accounts? So the other fundamental question that needs to be asked ... Just how STUFFED are the servers?
5. Is There Such a Thing Called CHEAP Support?
==================================================
LOL, I'm coming back again to the age old question. You pay peanuts, expect ... You finish the sentence. In any case, I'm not saying that web host providers whom are competitively priced do not support their customers. What I'm trying to point out is the fact that good technical support staff are not easy to find and they are not cheap. Try getting support from your current web host provider with a problem that you may have. Are they able to provide you with a concrete workable answer to your question? Do they response in a timely fashion?
Technical Support does cost money. Don't forget that. For a web host provider to be successful, not only does he need to be able to compete on new sign-ups, he will also need to maintain a good workable technical support force to cope with the incoming technical requests. I provide a real example :: A web host plan (100MB) that costs S$5 a month, citing 24/7 technical support -> Wouldn't you think twice about signing up? That's S$60 year and the provider is willing to provide the customer with 24/7 technical support? You do the maths. The business needs to survive on long term profitability. Can the provider earn a profit from this?
6. Reputation / Brand Name
==================================================
Take some effort to learn about the web host provider. What's the reaction from existing customers? What's the inside story like? Visit sites and communities to find out more about the web host. Learn more about the web host provider. A nice looking web site with fancy graphics and fancy write-ups don't make the cut. Don't let these fool you. Many of these can be purchased online. Ghost writers are always ready to be paid to write fantastic sales pitches and introductory pieces. Talk to the potential web host provide, email them with your inquiries. Get a feel of what they are like. Do they portrait themselves professionally? Is there some customer reference that you see? Are there reviews about their services?
Shameless plug :: Checkout SGWHT http://www.sgwebhostingtalk.com and search for the potential web host provider and see if anything has been said about them. Or post in SGWHT for reviews, opinion and comments.
7. Summary
==================================================
Some people just like the idea of going for a cheap deal. Well, we can't help it. We all want a GOOD deal right? Sadly, in web hosting, getting a good deal isn't that easy. Lots of people get burned this way. My advice to people is simple. If its too cheap, be wary. Businesses need to survive, they cannot be losing money all the time - a cheap deal must have a catch somewhere, maybe you just have not found it!